The tradition of early childhood personnel preparation standards alignment analysis

ABSTRACT

There is an extensive history of collaboration with respect to policy initiatives between the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC). In pursuit of promoting high quality inclusive education for all young children, DEC and NAEYC have partnered to create numerous resources and supports over the years for preservice preparation programs and professional development providers who seek to address both ECE and EI/ECSE personnel preparation standards. One notable result has been the development of formal procedures for alignments of the preparation standards promoted by these organizations. In this paper, we detail this established tradition of early childhood standards alignment analysis by describing the development and details of the procedures used for conducting alignment analyses. These procedures are now precedent and provide a roadmap for future alignment analyses. Implications for personnel preparation and future alignment analysis and standards development are discussed.

Author note

We dedicate this manuscript to our colleague and friend, Sandra H. Robbins. May it serve as a reminder of her positive spirit of camaraderie and collaboration as well as her dedication to our field.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Some of the content referred to in this manuscript was developed under two grants from the US Department of Education; [# H325B120004 and #H325B170008]. However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officers, Tracie Dickson and Christy Kavuli; Office of Special Education Programs, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services